Sex Ed Reform Must Tackle Misogyny Head On

17th July 2025 

The government’s new review of Relationships, Sex and Health Education (RSHE) must not become a political football. This moment is too important. Done right, RSHE can counter misogyny and build a more equal future. Done wrong, or watered down, it risks leaving young people more vulnerable, not less. 

Recent Department for Education research reveals that over 54% of students aged 11–19 have heard misogynistic remarks in the last week alone and 37% say comments have made them concerned about the safety of girls. This shows misogyny isn’t abstract, it’s part of everyday life for young people. 

Children and young people are already navigating a digital world flooded with toxic gender norms, misogynistic influencers, and harmful stereotypes. Shielding them from age appropriate education about gender, relationships, and respect doesn’t protect them, it fails them. 

We welcome Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson’s defence of a flexible, evidence led approach.Young people don’t experience the world in neat age bands. RSHE must reflect their realities, not deny them. 

As our CEO Penny East puts it: 

“There’s no doubt that more must be done to educate against misogyny and to break down harmful gender stereotypes in schools. Yes, the content must be age appropriate, but we can’t pretend that children aren’t exposed to gender stereotypes, toxic gender norms, and language that sets some on a path of misogyny. 

Schools have an important role to play in laying the foundations for a more gender equal society. Every child should be able to identify positive role models, know how to keep themselves safe online and feel they have a voice to speak out when they see or experience sexism or harassment. 

But we must remember schools can’t do this alone. Misogyny is being fuelled by online platforms and algorithms. We need social media companies to step up and take this seriously and we need government to demand they do just that.” 

This review must be led by evidence, not moral panic. Children should be protected from harmful content, but that protection must come through education, not censorship. 

RSHE, when done properly, gives young people the tools to question inequality and challenge harmful behaviour. It helps dismantle the sexist systems that hold them back. It also provides a trusted space where all children, regardless of background, can learn about respect, consent, identity, and empathy. 

What’s at stake is a curriculum that reflects the world children encounter every day. A curriculum that doesn’t shy away from uncomfortable realities but equips them to navigate those realities safely, confidently, and critically. 

Misogyny doesn’t start in adulthood. It takes root early, in the jokes that go unchallenged, the stereotypes that go unchecked, the influencers who go uncriticised. Schools are on the frontline, and they need support. 

We need a national conversation that recognises what’s truly harmful: silence, shame, and misinformation. We need political leadership that prioritises children’s safety. 

The RSHE review is a chance to get this right. Let’s not waste it. 

👉 Read more about our fight against misogyny:

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